NEWS: Adem @ The Cumberland Arms

The idiosyncratic music maker performs at The Cumberland Arms

By Claire Dupree
on Thursday, March 8th, 2018

Having emerged from a ten year hiatus in 2016, Adem Ilhan’s name should rightly be back on the lips of fans of lush folktronica and superb songwriting. Adem’s early career as the founding member of post-rock band Fridge alongside Kieran Hebden gained him considerable kudos, but while his erstwhile bandmate gains notoriety as Four Tet and rubs shoulders with Aphex Twin, Adem’s career took an altogether quieter trajectory.

His debut album Homesongs and the stunning Love And Other Planets (released in 2004 and 2006 respectively) demonstrate Adem’s swoonsome ability to craft wonky folk pop. 2010’s dalliance with Johnny Lynch, aka The Pictish Trail, under the moniker of Silver Columns saw Adem delve into synth pop which earned comparisons to the likes of Erasure and Hot Chip while 2016’s surprise solo release, Seconds Are Acorns, brought him firmly back into the fold of idiosyncratic music makers.

Performing at The Cumberland Arms on Saturday 17th March, we’re hopeful for a ‘greatest hits’ set, but will be mightily pleased to hear the likes of the soaring A Silvering and glacially sparse Didn’t Save Air from his recent release. As an additional bonus for those who treasure wonky pop and irreverent songwriting, Milky Wimpshake’s Pete Dale will also perform a rare solo set, making this gig a real must-see.